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Council workers strike over pay Council workers strike over pay
(about 4 hours later)
A two day strike by local authority workers over pay has begun in Wales.A two day strike by local authority workers over pay has begun in Wales.
Services across all 22 Welsh councils have been disrupted by the action with schools, leisure centres and libraries closed and refuse collections hit.Services across all 22 Welsh councils have been disrupted by the action with schools, leisure centres and libraries closed and refuse collections hit.
The strike has been called by unions Unison and Unite over a pay offer of 2.45%. The unions want 6%.The strike has been called by unions Unison and Unite over a pay offer of 2.45%. The unions want 6%.
The action began at midnight on Wednesday and will end at midnight on Friday morning. Councils said plans were in place to limit the impact.The action began at midnight on Wednesday and will end at midnight on Friday morning. Councils said plans were in place to limit the impact.
It is thought that around 600 of the 1,800 schools in Wales are shut because of the strike.It is thought that around 600 of the 1,800 schools in Wales are shut because of the strike.
This is more than during the recent National Union of Teachers strike in April in which around 500 schools were closed and another 400 partially shut.This is more than during the recent National Union of Teachers strike in April in which around 500 schools were closed and another 400 partially shut.
The industrial action has also affected graduation ceremonies for hundreds of Swansea university students.The industrial action has also affected graduation ceremonies for hundreds of Swansea university students.
These have been moved from the city's historic Brangwyn Hall to a marquee on the campus provoking an angry response from students.These have been moved from the city's historic Brangwyn Hall to a marquee on the campus provoking an angry response from students.
Local authorities are doing everything possible to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum Steve Thomas, Welsh Local Government AssociationLocal authorities are doing everything possible to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum Steve Thomas, Welsh Local Government Association
Union members will gather for a protest rally at John Frost Square in Newport at 1100 BST where they will hand out leaflets and peanuts to passers by to highlight their claim that council workers are low paid.Union members will gather for a protest rally at John Frost Square in Newport at 1100 BST where they will hand out leaflets and peanuts to passers by to highlight their claim that council workers are low paid.
There will also be rallies outside County Hall in Ruthin, Denbighshire and outside the library buildings in Llandudno, Conwy.There will also be rallies outside County Hall in Ruthin, Denbighshire and outside the library buildings in Llandudno, Conwy.
The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) said it was inevitable some front line services would be affected by the strike with the most likely being refuse collection, schools and adult social care. The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) said it was inevitable some front line services would be affected by the strike with the most likely being refuse collection, schools and adult social care. Swansea University's graduation ceremony was moved from the Brangwyn Hall to a marquee
"But local authorities are doing everything possible to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum, preparing contingency plans and appropriate staff cover where possible," said Steve Thomas, WLGA's chief executive."But local authorities are doing everything possible to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum, preparing contingency plans and appropriate staff cover where possible," said Steve Thomas, WLGA's chief executive.
"This will ensure that vital services provided to the most vulnerable in our communities are maintained."This will ensure that vital services provided to the most vulnerable in our communities are maintained.
"We urge members of the public to contact their local authority for the latest update on services affected by this week's industrial action.""We urge members of the public to contact their local authority for the latest update on services affected by this week's industrial action."
Mr Thomas added there was "little appetite" for the strike by the Welsh local government workforce and claimed there had been reports of union resignations.Mr Thomas added there was "little appetite" for the strike by the Welsh local government workforce and claimed there had been reports of union resignations.
"All this has led to considerable uncertainty over staffing levels which might have made the potential impact of the strike seem greater than it is," he said."All this has led to considerable uncertainty over staffing levels which might have made the potential impact of the strike seem greater than it is," he said.
There is no need to ask the Government for more, no need to put up council taxes and no need to cut jobs or services Dave Prentis, UnisonThere is no need to ask the Government for more, no need to put up council taxes and no need to cut jobs or services Dave Prentis, Unison
Unions say the pay offer for workers in town halls, school canteens and refuse depots is a real terms pay cut because of the current rate of inflation.Unions say the pay offer for workers in town halls, school canteens and refuse depots is a real terms pay cut because of the current rate of inflation.
They are pressing for a 6% rise or an increase of 50p per hour, which ever is greater, arguing that local government can pay for this out of the efficiency savings town halls have made so far this year.They are pressing for a 6% rise or an increase of 50p per hour, which ever is greater, arguing that local government can pay for this out of the efficiency savings town halls have made so far this year.
Peter Allenson from Unite said its members were working on the breadline.Peter Allenson from Unite said its members were working on the breadline.
"The blame for this dispute and the disruption to essential services sits squarely on the shoulders of the local government employers," he said."The blame for this dispute and the disruption to essential services sits squarely on the shoulders of the local government employers," he said.
"The public will ask why a pay cut is forced on some of the country's lowest paid workers while their employers hoard multi-millions in savings.""The public will ask why a pay cut is forced on some of the country's lowest paid workers while their employers hoard multi-millions in savings."
Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, which has 60,000 members in Wales, said the strike action had been the last resort.Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, which has 60,000 members in Wales, said the strike action had been the last resort.
"Local government employers are sitting on £3bn worth of efficiency savings made by our members they could use to settle the strike now," he said."Local government employers are sitting on £3bn worth of efficiency savings made by our members they could use to settle the strike now," he said.
"There is no need to ask the Government for more, no need to put up council taxes and no need to cut jobs or services.""There is no need to ask the Government for more, no need to put up council taxes and no need to cut jobs or services."
But Mr Thomas from WLGA said the strike would have no impact in making additional money available and that 2.45% was its "last and final offer".But Mr Thomas from WLGA said the strike would have no impact in making additional money available and that 2.45% was its "last and final offer".